Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Final \Fi"nal\, a. [F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis boundary,
   limit, end. See {Finish}.]
   1. Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating;
      ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.

            Yet despair not of his final pardon.  --Milton.

   2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
      Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.

   3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the
      purpose or ultimate end in view.

   {Final cause}. See under {Cause}.

   Syn: {Final}, {Conclusive}, {Ultimate}.

   Usage: Final is now appropriated to that which brings with it
          an end; as, a final adjustment; the final judgment,
          etc. Conclusive implies the closing of all discussion,
          negotiation, etc.; as, a conclusive argument or fact;
          a conclusive arrangement. In using ultimate, we have
          always reference to something earlier or proceeding;
          as when we say, a temporary reverse may lead to an
          ultimate triumph. The statements which a man finally
          makes at the close of a negotiation are usually
          conclusive as to his ultimate intentions and designs.

Source : WordNet®

final
     adj 1: occurring at or forming an end or termination; "his
            concluding words came as a surprise"; "the final
            chapter"; "the last days of the dinosaurs"; "terminal
            leave" [syn: {concluding}, {last}, {terminal}]
     2: conclusive in a process or progression; "the final answer";
        "a last resort"; "the net result" [syn: {last}, {net}]
     3: not to be altered or undone; "the judge's decision is
        final"; "the arbiter will have the last say" [syn: {last}]

final
     n 1: the final match between the winners of all previous matches
          in an elimination tournament
     2: an examination administered at the end of an academic term
        [syn: {final examination}, {final exam}]